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The original First Baptist Church building in Albemarle was built during the last half of 1891. It was on the southwest corner of Third Street and North Street diagonally across the intersection from the old Central School building.

A distinguishing characteristic of the church building was a very tall steeple. Due to its height, it was known to sway in very high winds. According to local legend, some parents evidently were reluctant to let the kids walk to school by the church for fear the steeple would fall in high winds.

According to the Jan. 18, 1918 edition of Albemarle Enterprise, “The storm on Friday night last decapitated the old Baptist Church, completely destroying the steeple and a large section of the roof. However, Pastor Walker began at once the work of reparation, and the church is again ready for service.”

– {Lewis Bramlett – Stanly County Historical Society}